Renault-Nissan doesn't want US ally

Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn has confirmed that his company is no longer looking for an American partner.

Ghosn's attempts to buy 20 per cent of GM fell through last month. And now his on-off talks with Ford are officially off.

Speaking to the New York Times, Ghosn said: “We don’t think the timing is right. The right moment [is] when Nissan is growing again. Before we envision new frontiers we want to make sure what we’re doing is right.”

Ghosn admitted, however, that the chance to lasso such a deal might have gone forever: “The day we are ready, there might not be an opportunity.”

That the beleaguered car industry can never say never is emphasised, however, by the won’t-go-away rumour that perennial rivals GM and Ford may yet merge.

The Wall Street Journal suggested the revolutionary move in July, and discussions reportedly began at the same time GM was in negotiation with Ghosn [July].

GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz, when asked about the possibility by Swiss newspaper SonntagsZeitung, said: “We are open to alliances. But we can also be successful alone.”